I am an Arsenal invincible - I would have loved to have played with Virgil van Dijk
Arsenal Invincible Martin Keown has revealed he would have loved to have played alongside Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk during his career. Keown, 58, a three-time Premier League winner, starred for the Gunners in the 1990s and early 2000s, making 449 appearances across two spells in north London.
Keown, who was capped 43 times by England, also played for Brighton, Aston Villa, Leicester, Everton and Reading before retiring from football in 2005. He shared the changing room with some of the best ever Premier League central defenders, including Tony Adams, Sol Campbell and Rio Ferdinand.
A man-mountain of a central-back in his own right, Keown has now admitted that, as well as the three mentioned above, he would have also wanted to play with Van Dijk. The Dutchman has been integral to Liverpool's success this season, helping the Reds to the top of the Premier League table under Arne Slot.
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While there is some uncertainty over Van Dijk's future - with the former Celtic man out of contract in 2025 - he is still performing at a very high level and could be in contention for the Player of the Season come May. And Keown has since waxed lyrical over Van Dijk's qualities and ability at the back.
When asked if he would have loved to have played alongside Van Dijk, Keown told talkSPORT: "Goodness, I don't think anyone would complain [about] playing with Virgil van Dijk! He plays on that left side, I liked to play on the right. I particularly like that he's never phased in possession. He gets onto that right foot, he plays off like a stationary platform, he just pings things out to [Mohamed] Salah - what a great target he is."
Adding what makes Van Dijk a complete centre-back, Keown said: "He's a Rolls Royce. He's purring across the ground, he's got pace, he's a man mountain, he's very good in the air."
Keown continued: "He's probably just at the peak of his powers right now. He's another player that obviously Liverpool will be looking to keep, his contract is up at the end of the season."
